AN: Thanks for joining us on this journey. Hope you like all the fluffiness.

MN: Thanks also for the reviews. We love to hear from all of you.

Donald Mallard smiled as he rang the doorbell. From the outside the house was, in a word, cute. It was two stories with light siding, a well-manicured lawn, and flowerbeds surrounding the walk and small front porch.

The door opened and he stepped inside. The interior was exactly what he had expected. Open floor plan, hardwood floors, and comfortable looking furniture.

"Ducky, Ducky, Ducky! You made it!" The squeal was accompanied by a quick but powerful hug from the young woman and his smile widened.

"Of course I made it. I told Timothy I would be here, and I am. Now where is our new homeowner?" He saw no sign of either the man or his dog and Ducky found that odd.

"He's out back starting the grill and arguing with Tony about the merits of gas versus charcoal." She took the gift bag from his hand and set it on the dining room table before leading him through the house. "Timmy's going to give the tour once everyone gets here."

As they entered the back yard, Jethro (the canine) came bounding up to them. He patted the dog briefly on the head as he looked around. The yard was fairly large and, likely due to the dog he was petting, surrounded by a tall fence. Several large trees shaded the majority of the space, including the large patio.

The doorbell sounded again and Abby rushed back into the house. Ducky approached the two men standing near the grill. "Timothy, the house is lovely. Congratulations."

The man beamed back at him. "Thanks Ducky. But Abby deserves all the praise. She's the one who found the listing."

"I still can't believe she picked out the house and you couldn't even get her to move in with you, McLame." Ducky stifled a chuckle as Tim glared at Tony.

"She's stuck in her lease for three more months. That gives plenty of time for us to talk about it."

"Talk about what?"

Abby had reappeared on the patio with Ziva at her side and was now looking at the trio of men expectantly.

"Hopefully about getting some meat on that grill so we can eat." Even Ducky hadn't seen the team's leader enter the yard.

Ducky sat back in his chair, watching his team, no his family. Ziva, Tony, Tim, Abby, Jimmy, and Breena were gathered around a fire pit, roasting marshmallows, talking, and laughing. He couldn't help but notice how Tim doted on Abby. They were good together.

"Here ya go Duck." The tea cup appeared before the man holding it.

Ducky accepted the drink and sipped it as his friend lowered himself into the chair next to him. "Thank you Jethro."

"You're welcome."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Gibbs spoke again. "They're happy right? All of them?"

Ducky glanced over at him then back at the rest of the team. "Happier than they've been. Happier than one would expect with what they've been through."

"Good."